Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-12-11

ministering the poison that ne ureaas' d
man 90 distinguished as my lord cannot be
taken seriously ill without medical atten-
dance. Where there is a doctor there ls
always danger of discovery. Then, again,
there is the courier, faithful to my lord rs
long as my lord pays him. Even If the
doctor sees nothing suspicious. the courier
may discover something. The poison, TO
do its work with tine necessary secrecy,
must be repeatedly administered in gradu-
ated doses. One trifiug miscslculatlon or
mistake msy rouse suspicion, The lDsnr-
ance Office may hear OF il, and may refuse
20 paw the money. AS things are, the
baron will not risk it. and will not allow
his sister to risk it in his place.
MY lord himself is the next character
who appears. He has repeatedly rung Tor
the courier, and the bell has not been an
swered. What does this in~solence uean?'
1.-THE countessi(speaking with. quiet dig
nity-for why should her famous husband
have the satisfaction of knowing how
deeply he has wounded hel?) reminds my
lord that the courier has zone to the post.
Nv lord asks suspiciouSly fshe had looked
at the letter. The countess informs him hat
SD e has no curiosity about his letters.
Referring to the cold from which ne Is SUI
fering, she inqui1esi if he thinks Of consult
ing a medical man. My lord answers
roughly that he is quite old enough to be
capable Of doctoriDg himself.
"As he makes this reply the courier ap-
pears, returning from the post. My lord
gives him orders to go out again aud buy
some lemons. He proposes to try hot
lemonade as a means of inducing persplra-
ton in bed. In that way he formerly
cured colds. and in that way he will cure
the cold from which he is suffering now.
''The courier obeys i'll silence. Judging
by appearances he goes very reluctantly on
this second errand.
my lord turns to the baron who has
thus far taken no part in the conversation
and asks him, il a sneering tone, how
much longer he proposes to prolOng his
stay in Venice. The baron answers quiet
", Let us speak plainly to one another,
my lord. If you wish me TO leave your
house you have only to say the word, and
l CO. My lord turns to his wife
and asks if she can support the calamity
of her brothers. absence-laying a grossly
insulting emphasis on the word brother
| The Countess preserves her impenetrable
compusure; nothing 10 her betrays the
deadly hatred with which she regards the
titled rufian who has inSulted her. You
are master in this house, my lord, isall
she says. DO as you please
NY lord looks at his wife: looks at the
baron-and suddenly alters his tone. Does
he perceive in the c0mposure OF the Count
esq and her brother something lurking un-
der the surface that threatens him? This
is at least certain. that he makes a clumsy
apology for tie language that ne has used.
(AhiaCt wretch!)
MY lords excuses are interrupted by
the return of the courier with the lemons
and hot water.
THE Countess Observes for the first
time that the man looks i'll. His hands
tremble as he places the tray on the table.
| Ny lord orders his courier TO follow him
and makes the lemonade in the bedroom.
| The Countess remarks that the courier
seems hardly capable of Obeying his or
ders. Hearing this, the mau admits that
he is ill. He, too, is suffering from a
| cold; he has been kept waiting III a
| draught ut the shop where he bought the
lemons; he feels alternately hot ana cold,
and he hegs permission to lie down for a
little while on his bed.
Feeling her humanity appealed to, the
Countess volunteers 70 make the lemonade
herself. My lord takes the courier by the
arm, leads him aside, and whispers these
words TO him: Watch her, and geo That
| she puts nothing into the lemonade; then
| =. :. J., 49,, xf,I rrr M hanIS nfI
then 90 to bed, if you like
Without o word more TO his wife or to
the baron my lord leaves The room.
"The countess makes the lemonade and
the courier tax. il to his master.
Returning o. The way to his loom
he is 20 weak and feds, he says, so giddy,
that he is Obliged 10 support hirlself by
| the hacks Of the CHAIRS a. he passes them.
The baron, always cGaSiderate to persons
of low degree, offers his arm. lem afraid,
nv ponr fellow he says, 'thr; y0u ere
| really ill., TIE c0uTizr makes this extra
ordinary answer: It's all over with me,
sir: | have caught mG DEATH
The countess is naturally startled.
'You are not an old man. Ehc says, trying
TO rouse the c0uriar'sspirit AT your age
catching cold DOESN'T mear catching your
DEATH The courier fixed his eyas despair
ingly on the countess.
"'My lungs are weak, my lady, he says.
4 have already had two attacks of bron-
chitis. TIE second time a great physician
Joined my own doctor in attendance on me.
He considered my recovery almost in the
| light of a miracle. Take care Of your
| SELF he said. "Ifyou have a third attack
| of bronchitis, "a certainly as two and two
make four, you will he q dead man." |
feel the same inward sGivering, my lady,
that l felt on these two former occasions
and / tell you again, | have caught my
death in Venice"
Speaking some comforting words, the
baron leads him to his room. The countess
is left alone 0n the stage.
'TShe seats herself, and looks toward the
| door by which the courier has been led ont.
All. my poor fellow she says, If you
could only change constitutions with my
lord what a happy result would fOllw for
the baron and for me! II you could only
get cured of q trumperY cold with a little
hot lemonade, and if he could only catch
his death in your place!
"She suddenly pauses - considers for
s~while-and springs to her feet with a cry
of triumphant surprise; the wonderful,
the UNPARALLELED idea has crossed her mind
ike a fash of lightning. Make the two
men change names and places, and the
deed is done, Where are the obstacles?
Remove my lord-by fair means or foul
from his room and keep him secretly pris-
oner in the palace. to live or die rs future
necessity may determine. Place the ccur-
Ter in the vacant he'd and call in the doc
tor TO see him-ill, in my lords character,
and-if he ~dies-dying under my lords
name"
llh n y u MA